Compton's rise to U.S. Open contention pulls at heartstrings

Updated 11:46 pm, Saturday, June 14, 2014

Photo: David Cannon, Staff

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Erik Compton, who had heart transplants at the ages of 12 and 28, finds himself in the thick of U.S. Open contention after firing a 3-under 67 for one of only two rounds to break par Saturday at Pinehurst.

Erik Compton, who had heart transplants at the ages of 12 and 28, finds himself in the thick of U.S. Open contention after firing a 3-under 67 for one of only two rounds to break par Saturday at Pinehurst.

Photo: David Cannon, Staff

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Martin Kaymer, right, gives caddie Craig Connelly a fist bump after the U.S. Open leader carded an eagle on the fifth hole Saturday.

Martin Kaymer, right, gives caddie Craig Connelly a fist bump after the U.S. Open leader carded an eagle on the fifth hole Saturday.

Photo: Ross Kinnaird, Staff

Compton's rise to U.S. Open contention pulls at heartstrings

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PINEHURST, N.C. - Peter and Eli Compton have spent a good chunk of the past 34 years shadowing their son, Erik, on a golf course. But Saturday's stroll around Pinehurst stirred special emotions.

As Compton steamed down the stretch in the third round of the U.S. Open, his name planted prominently on the leader board and spectators cheering loudly, his mom's mind wandered.

"It's amazing," Eli (pronounced Ellie) said later. "We've followed him for 25 years as a golfer. But the last two holes today, I was reflecting on everything he's been through. I became emotional and overwhelmed."

That's understandable when your son has survived two heart transplants - and climbed into contention at the U.S. Open.

Compton will begin Sunday's final round tied for second place, five shots behind Martin Kaymer. It's a long shot, but if Compton somehow erases his deficit and cradles the sparkling silver trophy, it will count as the most remarkable story in the long history of America's national championship.

First, the essentials: Kaymer wobbled a bit and posted 2-over-par 72, ending the day at 8-under 202 after a birdie on his final hole. Compton shot 67 to reach 3-under 207, tied with Rickie Fowler (67). They were the only two players to break par Saturday.

Just imagine if Compton wins. Hollywood producers would trip over themselves in feverish pursuit - first heart transplant at age 12, another at 28 and then a stirring comeback to win golf's most demanding tournament. Too improbable, right?

A long medical journey

Compton's medical odyssey began at 9, when he was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart muscle). He vowed not to view himself as a victim.

"We didn't allow it," Eli Compton said. "We promised him with a new heart he would have a new life."

Erik had been a standout baseball player before his illness and turned to golf as a way to use his extraordinary hand-eye coordination. He became the nation's top-ranked junior player, earned a scholarship to Georgia and worked his way onto the Nationwide Tour.

Then, in October 2007, Compton had a massive heart attack. He called his mom on the way to the hospital to say goodbye. His second transplant followed in May 2008, when the family of Isaac Klosterman, a 26-year-old volleyball player from Ohio who died in a motorcycle accident, donated his organs.

This long journey lingers in the back of Compton's mind as he tries to carve out his place on the PGA Tour.

"There are times I get emotional. I look over and see the crowd and see my name on the leader board and know what I've been through," he said. "But you've got to get right back into game mode and hit the next shot."

He has done that well enough to stay on tour the past three years, with three top-10s in 99 starts, but Compton remains a stranger to major championships. This is only his second appearance in a major; he missed the cut in the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Compton's presence on the leader board at Pinehurst could make a difference beyond golf. He's an active spokesman for "Donate Life," spreading the word about the importance of organ donation.

Eli Compton, who recently retired after 23 years as executive director of a transplant center in Miami, pointed out that more than 120,000 Americans are on an organ transplant waiting list.

"The bigger the stage he gets on," Peter Compton said, "the more people get the message."

Nicklaus was right

Erik Compton had lunch with Jack Nicklaus during the Memorial Tournament a couple weeks ago, and Nicklaus told Compton his steady game suits the U.S. Open well. He promptly went out and played 38 holes in sectional qualifying on June 2, fighting through fatigue to land a spot.

Still, after rounds of 72 on Thursday and 68 on Friday, the conditions at Pinehurst were much harder Saturday - dry greens, difficult pins. At breakfast, Eli mentioned the trouble early-starting players were having. Erik essentially told his mom to go away.

Compton abruptly got hot near the turn, reeling off four birdies in five holes starting at No. 7 and culminating at No. 11. He'll need another hot stretch Sunday to catch Kaymer - a really hot stretch - but even the possibility is tantalizing.

"If I win this tournament," Compton said, "I might just sail off and never play golf again."